Feds On Lifeguard Duty

Because it is close to the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, lots of federal and military personnel who might normally be off are on duty today.

Since the attacks, the number of federal-military people filling slots on a 24/7 basis has increased dramatically. Chances are, especially if you live in the D.C. area, some of your friends and neighbors are at the “office” today. It may be a real, air-conditioned office or border patrol, doing customs duty and checking people and cargo at airports.

Because most Americans (if you can escape retail and restaurant work) are off today, it is difficult for them to believe or understand that thousands of so-called bureaucrats — many of them highly trained and armed — are on the job. If you doubt it check out the parking lots at the Pentagon or, (very carefully) at the CIA and National Security Agency. The Defense Intelligence Agency, State Department and other places are up and running too.

So as we always conclude. If you are off today enjoy it. Have fun. Be careful.

Middle names did not become customary in the United States until the mid-1800s. Proof? Of the first 17 presidents, only three had middle names. John Quincy Adams was the first. By 1900 nearly every child born had a middle name.

MORE FROM FEDERAL NEWS RADIO

New procedures to protect SSA employees from attacksThe Social Security Administration is putting in place a process to prevent people who pose a threat to the agency from entering its field offices. SSA today issued an interim rule with a request for comments detailing four reasons why someone would be banned from the agency.

Labor Department, industry dispute impact of contracting ruleThe Labor Department’s final rule changing the way service contractors fill vacancies after winning a recompeted contract goes further than previous regulations. But it is far from the blanket requirement to hire all workers on the losing incumbent bidder’s team that many believe it calls for.

On DoD focuses on the programs and policies that affect the Defense Department. Each week, Defense Reporter Jared Serbu speaks one-on-one and in depth with the people responsible for managing the inner workings of the federal government's largest department, and those who know it best.